Uplifting Christ

People have reasons for doing what they do. I have heard preachers asking people to come to their churches before they could pray for them. I don’t know when or how this started but I believe getting people into our auditoriums is not the assignment. And that is also not the Prize. The assignment is

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15, 16 NLT).

And the Prize is the crown of righteousness. It is therefore important that we focus on the prize so that we don’t deviate from the right course.

One thing I have observed lately about the some churches is that members idolise their Pastors and thus believe that God listens to their Pastors more than He listens to them. In effect, these preachers preach what the crowd wants to hear. They don’t talk about holiness, righteousness, sin, hell, and deliberately avoid the truth because the truth hurts sometimes. Some even don’t preach about the good work Jesus did on Calvary because the crowd don’t want to hear that.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)

The point is we are not called to please the crowd or succumb to their desires. “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29 NIV). Jesus added that Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 KJV). The core of our task is to do the will of our Father in Heaven

Things to watch out for:

a) It’s a blessing to head a mega church or have have thousands coming to your auditorium, reading your books, visiting your site, etc but don’t get carried away. Your mission is to do the work of your Father in Heaven.

b) Stand for the truth. In 2 Timothy, Paul said

Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 AMP)

c) Don’t worry when people leave because of your stance. Many people left Jesus because they wouldn’t accept what he taught. John 6:66
Paul also told Timothy that people “will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.” (2 Timothy 4:4 AMP)

Friend, you must fight the good fight of faith, finish your race well, and remain faithful to God. The Bible says there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10 NLT). It is better to lead one to Heaven than to perish with 10 in Hell. Go for the Crown.

I will close with this:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7, 8 NLT)